Acts
8 – The Death of Stephen
The
death of Stephen seemed to be a defeat for the church, but it resulted in some
great victories for the Lord. Wherever the believers went, they shared the gospel,
and many trusted the Savior. Stephen’s witness made a tremendous impression on
Saul and was instrumental in his conversion. Never give up when the enemy seems
to be winning. It may be your finest hour of victory.
Like
Stephen, Philip was a deacon who was also an evangelist; and God led him to
witness in Samaria to people hostile to the Jews (John 4:9). The coming of
Peter and John and the giving of the Holy Spirit linked the Samaritan believers
to the saints in Jerusalem and the ancient division was healed. The way to turn
enemies into friends is to make them brothers and sisters in Christ.
In
times of great blessing, wherever God sows true seed, the devil sows a
counterfeit (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43). Like Peter, we must be alert and exercise
discernment.
Philip
left a great harvest to talk to one man, but that is the mark of a true servant
of the Lord. He traveled through Samaria as a one-man gospel army. It was in
Samaria that God paced the Ethiopian and Philip for a divine appointment. The
Ethiopian believed and was baptized and went back to his home with a message of
salvation! We must go where God sends us, do what God tells us, and leave the
results with Him.
Sometimes
we find God in the strangest places. Sometimes divine appointments come when we
least expect one. As people search for God, you may be the one whom God sends
to explain a passage, offer a word of truth or encouragement, or simply be a
friend.
We
must be open for those appointments. God may want to use us to make Himself
known to someone!
Please
read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you
have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee
Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.
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